Get Rid of Cat Dander

To get rid of cat dander is to have a more pleasant allergen-free home environment. The common symptoms associated with a cat dander allergy include red, itchy eyes, red blotches on the skin, runny rose, nasal congestion, sneezing, stuffy ears, and a hoarse or itchy throat, coughing and wheezing. Some people catch bronchitis frequently because of a dander allergy.

It should be noted that those that regularly have sneezing and a runny nose because of a cat dander allergy, which is a condition called “perennial allergic rhinitis,” usually will not have eye inflammation. However, as a result of nasal congestion, cat danger allergy suffers may have blocked Eustachian tubes which may cause hearing problems. Most often, this happens to children. So cat dander treatment and its effective control in the house is especially important in you have children.

Complications from dander allergy may also include chronic sinus headaches, infections, and asthma. The problem with these conditions is the mucous membranes and the bronchial tubes. For when cat dander reaches the mucous membranes of the nose or the bronchial tubes of the throat, an allergenic reaction can be triggered within minutes.

A complicating factor is the smallness of the allergen. Cat dander is extremely small, approximately 2.5 microns or 1/25,000 of an inch. This tiny allergen is especially potent and invisible to the eye, yet it can stay airborne in motionless air for hours. It is like aerosol droplets, sticky, light, and easily absorbed. It can easily penetrate bronchial membranes.

Get Rid of Cat Dander Around the House

If you have an allergy, you can minimize the effects of an allergy if you do as much as possible to get rid of dander and allergens by taking the following steps:

• Minimize carpeting in the house, use area rugs instead. If you must have carpeting use natural fibres, they clean more thoroughly. Better yet, have tile or wood floors.


• Minimize or eliminate fabric-covered furniture, or switch to leather or install plastic covers.


• Minimize fabric window treatments, or better yet to install vertical blinds.


• Use a good air purifier in rooms the cat may visit.


• Make your bedroom and your children’s bedrooms cat-free and keep all bedroom doors closed at all times.


• Dust with one of the modern catch-all dusting cloths and vacuum weekly using an HEPA vacuum. They are very effective in eliminating allergens in the home.

Get Rid of Cat Dander by Bathing, Brushing

• An effective way to minimize or get rid of cat dander is to march the cat into a nice bath two or three times a week and you will go a long way in controlling the air quality in your home. Use cool water to better please the cat, and use distilled water to better reduce the dander in her coat. Frequent bathing does not harm the cat’s coat in any way. Use a good shampoo and a moisturizing conditioner and rinse thoroughly.


• Frequently brush your cat’s coat. This is an excellent way to remove dead hair and to stimulate the skin to keep it in good condition. Frequent brushing will distribute the cat’s natural skin oil throughout the hair which will also reduce your cat’s dander.


• Another way is to spray your cat with a (humectant) moisturizer between baths. This tends to minimize dander.

By taking reasonable measures you can minimize or do much in an effort to get rid of cat dander.

Cat Dander Treatment

Cat dander treatment is an important factor in allergy control. But first we need to understand the nature of cat danger allergens, their danger, and how they are diagnosed.

Cat Dander Treatment

Cat dander treatment is easier than you may think. First, with common forms of cat allergies, don’t get rid of the cat. Treat yourself. For any treatment you take, ask yourself and your doctor: Is it safe? Is it effective? Is it necessary?

If you look online for treatment, look for the owner of the website. Only trust websites of universities, medical centers, government, and non-profit research organizations. Second, check to see if the information provided is up-to-date. Research is moving rapidly, don’t settle for old information.
Also look for the science behind a treatment. Testimonies are worthless as is any form of anecdotal evidence.

Cat Dander Treatment today include:

Allergen immunotherapy: Allergy shots try to trick your system into producing antibodies to stop an allergy response. This method is complex and must be administered by an allergist. It is expensive and requires many visits to the doctor. It is helpful if you do not fear getting needles.
Medication: There are various forms of medication that can also be used for allergy control including cat dander treatment. They include:

• Corticosteroids, which help prevent and treat inflammation, are available in several forms. However these products may cause side effects, including more serious side effects in some people. Long-term use of oral corticosteroids is very dangerous, so they are prescribed only for short-term use.


• Antihistamines, which block histamine. Some Over The Counter products that contain antihistamine are first-generation products that cause drowsiness and should be avoided. Claritin is a second-generation product and causes less drowsiness. Allegra is a nonsedating prescription antihistamine.


• Decongestants treat nasal and sinus congestion. These are available as OTC (Over The Counter) medications and they have complications. Use only under the advice of a physician and should be used for only for a few days. Eye drops are also available are considered safe.


• Leukotriene modifiers, which block the effects of a form of inflammatory chemical that causes the allergic reaction;


• Mast cell stabilizers, which prevent the release of histamine.

Alternative Treatments:

• Acupuncture, which is effective for relief of nasal congestion, discharge, and itching.


• Acupressure


• Homeopathy has demonstrated promise as a potential side effect free alternative.


• Herbal Remedies (EU) & Supplements (USA) can also be used for allergies including cat dander treatment: There http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifare a number of herbs that can be taken that may be effective in controlling the symptoms of allergies.
  
  One herb that has been popular in Europe is Butterbur which is also known as Sweet Coltfoot (Petasites hybridus), which should not be confused with Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara). A Swiss study reported in the British Medical Journal that Butterbur extract has been shown to be effective in the treatment for seasonal hay fever without the sedative effect of the antihistamine, cetirizine. Note that some Butterbur products may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) which can damage the liver, lungs, and blood circulation, and possibly cause cancer. These products must be avoided. A PA-free butterbur extract (Petadolex) is manufactured by Weber&Weber, GmbH & Co, Germany, but may not be easily available outside of the EU.

These are some of the methods of allergy control, including that of cat dander treatment.

Cat Dander Removal

Cat dander removal is a practical aspect in controlling cat dander allergy, but it is not easy.

Cat Dander Removal In The Home

Remove Your Carpet

Nothing is a more effective magnet to dander and retains dander better than carpet. Dander penetrates carpet and settled in the pad under carpet. This means that vacuuming is not as effective in dander removal as we would all like to think.

If you have wall-to-wall broadloom carpeting, and you must keep carpeting, switch to area rugs.

Instead of artificial carpeting, you should switch to natural fibre carpeting because natural fibres release dirt and allergens when vacuumed easier than artificial fibres.

If you have a standard vacuum, get a HEPA vacuum. HEPA vacuums will capture dander and other airborne allergens in filters and will not recirculate allergens in its exhaust.

Furniture, Windows

Stuffed furniture, curtains, blinds, table cloths, and other household items are dander-catchers. Curtains can be replaced with vertical blinds, and as much as possible, upholstered furniture can be replaced with leather or wood furniture.

If you must keep window treatments, buy the type that can be washed in the washer, easily taken down and reinstalled. Wash your curtains once a month in an anti-allergy detergent.

Damp-dust your house frequently, including behind the frig and stove, and high places such as the top of the frig, kitchen cabinets, and shelves. Instead of a damp cloth, an alternative is to use one of the newer dusters that catch dust more efficiently. A magnetic fabric can be used to dust computer monitor and TV screens and other items. Wash the cloth with a mild detergent.

The Bedroom

A lot of time is spent in the bedroom so there are a few things that should be done for cat dander removal. All allergy suffers should avoid down comforters and feather pillows. However, feather pillows can be placed in a high-spun cloth pillow case with a zipper.

Beds are another major collector of cat dander and other allergens, so it should be covered with a vinyl or allergen proof mattress cover. All linen, blankets, and other coverings should be washed at least once every 7-10 days.

If you like to read in bed, be aware that the paper in books collects cat dander. Therefore, it is best not to have a library in your bedroom, and to only keep the book you are currently reading in the bedroom.

You may also wish to consider using an air purifier in the bedroom. If you do, direct the exhaust away from the rug and upholstered furniture.

Air Filter, Etc

One of the most effective means of cat dander removal is to use a HEPA vacuum and to vacuum the house weekly.

Allergy sufferers tend to feel better when the humidity is below 45%, which discourages mold growth. A dehumidifier is especially important in the bathroom, basement, and other areas where mold may grow.

Also, assuming it is not pollen season and you are not allergic to pollen, open the window on a pleasant breezy day. There is no better way to clean out dander-laden air.

Wash The Cat

For cat dander removal nothing beats washing the cat two or three times a week. You will remove dead hair and dander at the source and greatly improve general dander-free air quality.